Reportedly, Mercedes Benz was bringing forth the GLC crossover to contend against the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 crossover. This German luxury car maker is high on renovating the naming system of its cars and thus the upcoming crossover which is due for launch in the second half of 2013 be named as GLA. The platform underpinning the 2013 Mercedes Benz GLA SUV would be the MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform which is already reinforcing the Mercedes Benz A-Class hatchbacks and B-Class sports tourer. The total number of cars sitting on the MFA platform would be five.The GLA SUV would follow the Mercedes Benz B-Class tourer in terms of dimensions which in turn would make this SUV fill in the slot between Audi Q3 and BMW X1. The newfangled 2013 GLA SUV is 4440mm long, 1800mm wide and 1500mm high. Mercedes Benz has been very generous in terms of boot and wheelbase which are 500 liters and 2700mm respectively. The high chances of 2013 Mercedes Benz GLA closely matching to the B-Class tourer can be linked to the indication made by the senior management of Mercedes Benz India in past, about both the models being positioned side by side to each other.Since the 2013 Mercedes Benz GLA SUV sits on the MFA platform, both the petrol and diesel variants are expected, it could also be possible the engines of the B-Class tourer could be carried over to this SUV. This new SUV can also be released in both front wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants and like the expected prices of 2012 B-Class, the GLA SUV is also expected to fall in the price bracket of Rs. 25 lakh. Mercedes Benz India is anticipated to plan a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly for this much awaited SUV.Looking at the popularity graph of the BMW X1 crossover on account of competitive pricing, huge success of Mercedes Benz GLA SUV can be anticipated in India. Coming up next month is the touted launch of 2012 Audi Q3 in India which is sure to hit the nerve of Mercedes Benz who would itch badly to gain back the lost market share on the basis of GLA crossover. Unfortunately the launch of GLA crossover is scheduled for next year. The backing of MFA platform on its entry-level cars would work pretty well for Mercedes Benz in the attempt of gaining its lost share in the car market and the 2013 GLA SUV would prove to be the ace of spades in the process.
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